Avivagen Announces Results from Efficacy Studies of Natural Alternative to Antibiotic Use in Swine and Poultry

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / November 24, 2014 / Avivagen Inc. VIVCHEXF announces preliminary results of independently conducted studies of the livestock utility of OxC-beta, a fundamentally new natural alternative to the use of antibiotics in livestock feeds. Avivagen Inc. is a wellness company developing and delivering products that support and enhance the health and quality of life for animals and the people who care for them.

The discovery that the product formed by full, spontaneous oxidation of beta-carotene, termed OxC-beta, has protective health benefits comes at a time when stakeholders across the globe, including national health regulators, are looking to avoid usage of antibiotics in livestock due to concerns that such uses pose threats to public health. In-feed trials of OxC-beta appear to be gaining attention from the livestock industry due to emerging evidence that this natural product may be a safe, effective and affordable alternative to the antibiotics now in use.

As previously disclosed, Avivagen has sponsored studies of the use of OxC-beta in swine and poultry, those studies being independently conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Animal Sciences for Vietnam and Chonbuk National University of Korea, respectively. Avivagen is now pleased to provide a summary of the preliminary results from those studies, which are ultimately intended for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. A summary table of the study designs was provided in the CEO update letter dated September 25, 2014.

In swine, Avivagen believes the results of the 500-pig study are indicative of strong commercial utility. The inclusion of OxC-beta in feeds at just 2 to 4 parts-per-million (less than one teaspoon per metric ton of feed) outperformed both the negative control group and those animals fed with 150-250 parts-per-million of commonly-used antibiotics (chlortetracycline and colistin sulfate). Observed results in swine include, but were not limited to, the following:

  • - Improvement in "Average Daily Gain" of over 20% when used in Starter feed.

  • - Bettering "Feed Conversion Ratio" by over 7%, in Starter, Grower & Finisher feeds.

  • - Reduction in the rate of diarrhea of up to 50%, at each stage of feeding tested.

In poultry, Avivagen believes the results of the study, where birds faced a subclinical disease challenge (from the bacteria C. perfringens), are also commercially-relevant. Inclusion of OxC-beta in broiler poultry feed at the 2 to 4 parts-per-million level outperformed the negative control group and matched or exceeded the results from the use of 55 parts-per-million of the commonly-used antibiotic bacitracin. Observed results in poultry include, but were not limited to, the following:

  • - Increase in "Mean Body Weight" of up to 12% (26 days old) relative to infected controls.

  • - Dose-dependent drops in rates of bacterial colonization - to zero in one dosing group.

  • - Intestinal lesions in the OxC-beta groups significantly better than infected controls.

Avivagen believes these positive results reconfirm the outcomes of earlier Canadian research under livestock production conditions that are directly relevant to farmers across Asia.

Avivagen will aim to provide an update on the progress of these studies once their final results are received and will encourage the researchers conducting the trials to submit this work for peer-review and publication in the relevant veterinary or livestock journals.

Dr. William Riley, Professor of Food Quality and Safety at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, assisted with the development of the trial protocols. He commented that, "These results indicate that OxC-beta alone supports optimal growth performance and protects against disease challenges. OxC-beta seems to be an effective alternative to antimicrobial growth promoting (AGP) agents in livestock rations and a much-needed innovation. With several Asian countries now joining the European Union in banning AGP use and in reducing the availability of antibiotics in livestock, producers need new solutions."

Cameron Groome, C.E.O. and President of Avivagen also commented "We believe the health and production improvements being observed with OxC-beta are very relevant to the livestock industry, regulators and consumers. We intend to work with those constituencies to help enable OxC-beta to be widely adopted in livestock production."

About Avivagen Inc.

Avivagen Inc. is a publicly-listed life sciences company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "VIV" and OTC Pink under the ticker symbol "CHEXF." The Company's goal is to develop and deliver scientifically-proven solutions that can truly benefit companion and production animals by employing natural mechanisms for maintaining good health. Targeted markets include Livestock Productivity and Pet Wellness.

Avivagen is based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) - in Ottawa, Ontario and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com.

About OxC-beta

Avivagen's proprietary and patent-protected technology is based on its discoveries concerning carotenoid antioxidants. The novel natural compounds discovered by Avivagen support the body's own systems to maintain and enhance health, such as by priming immune function. Avivagen's commercial-stage application of its technology is Fully-Oxidized beta-Carotene (OxC-beta). OxC-beta compounds occur naturally as carotenoid oxidation products in vegetation, but in minute amounts. They have been developed to support the health of companion animals and for use in the global food animal market.

Research results indicate OxC-beta supports innate immune function, which can help maintain good health. In pets, OxC-beta supports overall vitality and energy, mobility and joint function, skin, coat and gut. Results observed in food animals have included healthier growth, better utilization of feed and decreased morbidity. In food animals, it is intended that use of OxC-beta avoids the feeding of antibiotics.

Avivagen's commercial products are OxC-beta for livestock, Vivamune(TM) Health Chews and Oximunol(TM) Chewables.

About OxC-beta for Livestock

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OxC-beta for Livestock is available as a 10% pre-mix sold in 1.0 or 5.0 Kg quantities for parts-per-million addition to animal feeds, in accordance with Avivagen or producer-developed protocols. In past studies, OxC-beta has been shown to support health or growth in species such as chicken, pigs, cattle and fish. OxC-beta for livestock is currently available for commercial sale in the Kingdom of Thailand.

About Vivamune(TM) Health Chews - For dogs and cats

Vivamune(TM) Health Chews, containing Avivagen's proprietary active ingredients, are scientifically-formulated chews for dogs and cats. Vivamune(TM) Health Chews work with a pet's own immune system to maintain overall health and well-being. They are sold in re-sealable packages of 30 chews and are currently available in the United States by ordering on-line at www.vivamunehealth.com.

About Oximunol(TM) Chewables - For dogs

Oximunol(TM) Chewables are scientifically-formulated chewable tablets that contain Avivagen's proprietary, patented active ingredient OxC-beta. OxC-beta has been shown to stimulate innate cellular immunity and may thereby help to maintain overall health and well-being. Oximunol(TM) Chewables are distributed by Bayer Healthcare LLC and are available through veterinarians for dogs of all ages in the United States.

Permanent Non-Surgical Sterilization of Female Mammals

Avivagen has optioned worldwide exclusive rights to a technology for the permanent and non-surgical sterilization of female mammals. A proof-of-concept trial in an indicative species has been started in order to demonstrate whether the technology appears to be safe and effective. It is expected that a patent application covering World Trade Organization countries will be pursued and that technological details will be made available when that patent application is published. Further information will be disclosed as deemed prudent or as required.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "aim", "anticipated", "appear", "believe", "could", "estimated", "expected", "if", "intended", "goal", "hope", "likely", "may", "plan", "possibly", "potentially", "seem", "should", "whether", "will", "would" and similar expressions. Statements about antibiotic usage trends in livestock, the research conducted Avivagen or its collaborators, the commercial or other relevance of study results, the current or future potential uses of the technologies described in this news release, including their importance to animal or human health, their safety, efficacy or affordability, their gaining industry attention and whether final results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals are all forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of Avivagen to continue as a going concern; the final results of Avivagen's ongoing livestock trials may not be positive or as positive as the preliminary results described herein; the benefits from positive study results may not sufficient for commercialization; even if the final results of Avivagen's livestock trials are positive, there is no guarantee that Avivagen's products will be commercially viable and successful or that requisite regulatory approvals will be obtained; the timing and results of livestock trials may be delayed or may not be completed at all; peer-reviewed publications concerning products may not assist their viability or success and Avivagen's intellectual property rights may prove inadequate to protect its inventions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information:
Avivagen Inc.

Cameron Groome, CEO & President
100 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0R6
Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164
Website: www.avivagen.com

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 |Copyright© 2014|
 |Avivagen       |
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SOURCE: Avivagen Inc.
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